OK, so I didn't get my N64 Disk Drive but I got my 'URA'.
Written: Mar 15 '03 (Updated Oct 01 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: I get to play one of my favourites again but in a new way!
Cons: Don't except too many changes if you played the first.
The Bottom Line: "Come on, this is one of the best games of all time!"
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| StarSoldier1's Full Review: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time + Ocarina of ... |
LEGEND OF ZELDA: Ocarina of Time/Master Quest (Nintendo, March, 2003)
In a unusual twist of faith, Nintendo hypes their big Game Cube Zelda game (The Wind Waker) by giving away copies (if you pre-order the Wind Waker) of this exclusive double feature, enter the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time/Master Quest. Not only does the famous Nintendo 64 game make a surprise return to the video game scene but this disc also comes with several bonus features like slightly improved graphics, various demos, and Nintendo even threw in the lost Master Quest game which is a minor alternation of the original Ocarina game. Zelda fans are not only going to love the price here but they are also going to love playing this old game all over again!
The Second Coming!
So you probably asking yourself, what is this new Master Quest game anyway? A few years ago, Nintendo had big plans to release a new version of the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64 Disk Drive unit. This prototype game was code named URA and it was basically a remixed version of the original mega hit game, the idea was to increase the replay value of the Ocarina of Time by altering some of the dungeons a little. Nintendo also did this source of thing with their first original Legend of Zelda for the old NES but back then we called this the 'Second Quest'. Needless to say that Nintendo canceled this idea and game after they trashed the Disk Drive add on (the DD unit was only released in Japan but to weak reviews) and URA just disappeared in the process.
Sure, there isn't a lot of changes to the original Ocarina here in the new Master Quest (everything is exactly the same up in to some of the dungeon rooms) but if you really loved the first game then the new dungeon puzzles are more than enough here to replay this awesome adventure all over again. I easily got into Master Quest's new brain teasers, and trust me, these new puzzles will test any Zelda pro. I only wish that Nintendo would have done more to make the bosses tougher, change the places where some the items are hidden, and make money more difficult to attain. Both games look, sound, and control the same as well so don't expect Master Quest to be graphical enhanced or anything like that.
The Legend Returns!
With all this talk about this new Master Quest here and we can't forget that Nintendo even threw in the first Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time on this disc as well. Anybody remember the war between the N64 and Playstation? Although the Sony Playstation was the clear winner during the late 90's, Nintendo didn't give up without a good fight. On November 24, 1998 the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time was released on the Nintendo 64 and it proved to be one of their greatest creation's ever! The game won high praise (and tons of awards) for it's unique time traveling game play, stellar fantasy based graphics, and an lengthy journey across a absolutely huge landscape. Zelda came back in a big way and now we can play it on the Game Cube!
Since both games have the same story line, here's the low down on the game's plot if you didn't already know it. You play the role of Link, a young boy who lives in the forest with elves, the problem is that Link isn't really a elf but he still doesn't know his real identity yet. As Link is trying to discover who he really is, a man named Ganondorf is trying to conquer the peaceful land of Hyrule. Only the young princess Zelda knows Ganondorf's true intentions and only you can help her before this mysterious evil man takes over the entire world. It will be no easy task as Link has to worry about several factors on his mission. Things like the time of day, his interaction 6 different races, and even time travel play a role in the game. If that wasn't enough, you can play the young 10 year old Link of the present and the 17 year old adult Link of the future. Can you survive in two different realities?
From Cartridge to Disc!
Nintendo didn't just port over the Nintendo 64 to the Game Cube, they spiced up the old girl to appeal to the newer generation. If you look closely, you'll see the game's polygons have been cleaned up a little and the colours are brighter too so the graphics look a little bit better at least. Sadly, the game still runs on a weak frame rate and the pop up problems remain too, so it's not using the full power of the Game Cube (just compare this to other big games like Metroid Prime). I guess Nintendo didn't want to improve the graphics too much so that it didn't over shadow the Wind Waker. The disc also has a new 10 second loading screen before the games actually start and there are some slight pauses while you are surfing through menus now. No big deal.
Although Nintendo sharpen the graphics a little, I barely noticed any improvements with the music (if there really is any) in these games. The music tracks still sound a little muffled during certain situations despite the transfer to a disc. The music in the Super Nintendo's Zelda is way superior to what's on here. A shame really but you can't win them all. I did like the various notes and grunts found here though. The sound effects are sure a saving grace for some second rate music.
My controller looks weird now!
The controls of course have been altered to fit on that Game Cube controller (sorry N64 freaks, there is still no way use a N64 controller on the Nintendo Game Cube at the moment). Now the famous Z targeting system (when you lock on to a object) is now known as the 'L' targeting system. You use the lock on effect to keep a direct eye on opponents or if you wish to speak to someone from a distance, other than the button change, this feature still remains the same. Although the some of the buttons are in different places now, I wouldn't really call it better. Using the C stick for extra items feels unusual because it seems too far away from that giant green button. You can also use the X, Y, Z buttons for the other items but they feel even worse then the C stick. I would have also liked to have been given more camera options so some scenes were easier to see but unfortunately it still has the limited set of views that were on the Nintendo 64. Overall, despite some minor rants, the game controls fine and after a few hours it becomes second nature.
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time/Master Quest is everything that Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 on Game Cube should have been. First off this game actually gives you a reason to play the adventure over again (a la Master Quest) even though the story is the same. Secondly, this Zelda disc is only a few bucks or maybe you could just get it for FREE! Nintendo could have sold this separately and made some bonus cash on the side like Capcom did (SELL OUTS!) but Nintendo is not that kind of company. Just look at the scary 49.99 each for Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, that's just wrong! Besides, you can give me Zelda over Resident Evil any day. Nintendo also included 7 short but sweet demos on the game's like the Legend of Zelda the Wind Waker (very smooth), Wario World (looks kind of good), Metroid Prime (never heard of it.......), Legend of Zelda a Link to the Past (the Game boy Advance version of Zelda), and lots more. None are playable unfortunately.
Time after Time!
The Master Quest may disappoint some hardcore Zelda fans who are looking a more serious upgrade to one of the best adventure games of the late 90's but at the same time, beggers can't be choosers. Lets face it, Ocarina of Time is a great game and all but is there any reason to play it after you completely finished it? Not really. The Master Quest gives us another chance to play one of our favourites all over again, plus in the process you realize just how great the original really was to begin with. "That's all I really wanted!" The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is back and it's just as addictive as ever and I hope Nintendo gives me another Master Quest game next year or something (fat chance).
LEGEND OF ZELDA Ocarina of Time/Master Quest: 87/100
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 6/10
sound: 6/10
gameplay: 10/10
-Starsoldier 2003
http://www.videogames101.com
Recommended:
Yes
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StarSoldier1
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